The Navigator - Navigenics Blog

Genetic insights into health and wellness

All results for "Genetic counseling" (6)

March 17, 2010

Personal genetics and health: “Only one company had figured out the right formula”

Posted 12:59 PM PDT

imageAt Navigenics, our personal genetic results focus on health. Our genetic testing services only cover common, important health concerns that you can do something about.

And to help our members turn their personal genetic information into better health, we work closely with a wide range of healthcare organizations and professionals. Our team of board-certified genetic counselors is available to help our members make the most of their genetic results. And we partner with many other healthcare researchers and providers.

One of our collaborators includes the Toronto-based Medcan Clinic. Medcan offers the Navigenics Health Compass to its members, and pairs the results with support and expertise from a Medcan genetic counselor, who helps further personalize and interpret each patient’s genetic information. This week, Medcan’s Director of Genetics, Jill Davies, blogged about her experience with incorporating personal genomic results into patient care.

Here’s a highlight from her very interesting post, written for The DNA Exchange, a blog authored by genetic counselors:

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Categories: About Navigenics, Genetics, Genetic counseling, Health tips, Prevention, Partners, Working with your doctor

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April 20, 2009

What to look for in a genetic testing company

Elissa Levin, M.S., CGC,

Navigenics Genetic Counseling Program Director

Posted 09:49 AM PDT

imageGenetic testing is a tool that can help you, and your family, take control of your health by making personalized, informed healthcare decisions. There are lots of different kinds of genetic tests: for rare conditions that only affect a small number of people, for ancestry and paternity, and now tests are available for common diseases like cancer and diabetes.

But as the number of companies offering genetic testing continues to grow, it can be confusing for many consumers to determine which service is the best, the most reliable, and the most appropriate for their needs. Not all genetic tests are created equal, and some genetic testing companies do not offer useful or even accurate services.

To help in the decision-making process, the National Society of Genetic Counselors has just released a list of questions consumers should ask when selecting a genetic testing service:

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Categories: About Navigenics, Genetic counseling

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March 17, 2009

Questions to ask when selecting a genetic testing company

Elissa Levin, M.S., CGC,

Navigenics Genetic Counseling Program Director

Posted 10:15 AM PDT

imageWith so many new genetic discoveries, technologies, and applications, the number of companies offering genetic testing has skyrocketed over the past few years.

As a genetics professional, it is incredibly exciting to me that the genetics field is becoming more accessible to more people.

But not all genetic tests are the same, and not all genetic testing companies offer accurate and useful services. How is a person to sort through all the options to make an informed decision?

Now, an independent lab testing group has made it easier to decide…

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Categories: About Navigenics, Genetic privacy, Genetic counseling

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October 09, 2008

Navigenics joins landmark research study

Vance Vanier, M.D.,

Navigenics Chief Medical Officer

Posted 09:38 AM PDT

imageToday, Navigenics is pleased to announce our participation in a major study that will examine how people respond to personal genetic testing. Here are some details of this research endeavor, as described in a news release:

A consortium of health care, technology and research leaders have joined forces in a first-of-its-kind research study to assess the behavioral impact of personal genetic testing on people who choose to receive such screenings to identify their potential risk for developing certain diseases.

Sponsored by Scripps Translational Science Institute (STSI), the study aims to find out if participating in personal genomic testing will improve health by motivating people to make positive lifestyle changes, such as exercising, eating healthy and quitting smoking, as well as decisions to seek further medical evaluation and preventive strategies.  The study will offer genetic scans to up to 10,000 employees, family members and friends of the nonprofit Scripps Health system in San Diego and will assess changes in participants’ behaviors over a 20-year period.

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Categories: About Navigenics, Genetic counseling, Genetic research

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August 14, 2008

Taking your DNA to the doctor

Elissa Levin, M.S., CGC,

Navigenics Genetic Counseling Program Director

Posted 09:55 AM PDT

imageSometimes, knowing what your DNA says about your health isn’t enough – you’d like your doctor to be in the loop as well. But in the busy world of modern medicine, that kind of information sharing may not be as easy as it sounds.

Some physicians, for example, have so many medical advances to keep track of that they may not be accustomed to interpreting new types of genetic results. You and your doctor also usually don’t have as much time to talk as either of you would like. Did you know that the average medical appointment is only about seven minutes these days? That leaves little time to fit in a conversation about personal genetics results. And many people have concerns about whether they want their genetic information entered into their formal medical records.

f you’d like to talk with your physician about your genetic information, here are a few suggestions to help make that conversation more productive:

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Categories: For physicians, Genetic privacy, Working with your doctor, Genetic counseling

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July 21, 2008

My genes need counseling?

Elissa Levin, M.S., CGC,

Navigenics Genetic Counseling Program Director

Posted 10:10 AM PDT

When people interested in Navigenics hear that genetic counseling is a core part of our service, they usually have two things to say. The first is “Great!” The second is “What do you do, exactly?”

Here is a look at who we are, and how we can help you make the most of your genetic insights.

Genetic Counselors are highly trained health professionals with specific expertise in medical genetics and counseling, but many people have never had access to us. That separation reflects the traditional role of genetic information in health care. For a long time, genetics focused mostly on either rare diseases or pregnancy. As a result, you might have been referred to a Genetic Counselor only if a rare condition ran in your family, or if you were considering a genetic test as part of having a baby.

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Categories: About Navigenics, Genetic counseling

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